Islamic symbol today, the crescent moon and star pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. This symbol became affiliated with the Muslim world after it was adopted by the Ottoman Empire. It can be seen on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world, notably Turkey and Pakistan.

Origin of Islam: According to Islam;

The origin of Islam is generally accredited to the Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H) but according to Islam, it began long before Muhammad(P.B.U.H) ever walked the earth. The Qur'an was dictated by Muhammad but, according to the Qur'an, it did not originate with Muhammad. The Qur'an was given by God through the angel Gabriel(Jibreel) to the prophet Muhammad. "This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe. The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it, to reveal it into your heart that you may be one of the warners, in a perfect Arabic tongue" (Sura 26:192-195). "Say, 'Anyone who opposes Gabriel should know that he has brought down this (the Qur'an) into your heart, in accordance with God's will, confirming previous scriptures, and providing guidance and good news for the believers'" (Sura 2:97).

Place of origin:

Historically, Islam began in Arabia. Now known as Saudi Arabia, this is where the prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H) was born, raised, lived, and died.

The city of Mecca, his place of birth, is where he was orphaned. He(P.B.U.H) worked as a young boy in the caravan trade and eventually became the business manager for a wealthy widow, who became his wife.

He preferred solitude to company and would go off on hikes into the surrounding mountains where he heard from God through the angel Gabriel(JIBREEL)(P.B.U.H). He then would teach of a monotheistic God(ALLAH) to anyone who would listen. His messages angered the businessmen who made a living from the worship of many idols. Thus, his teachings gained disciples, but also many enemies.

As more and more people rallied against him, he moved to Medina, about 200 miles north of Mecca, still in Arabia. His business experience enabled Muhammad(P.B.U.H) to enter in to politics and he became the head of an Islamic city-state. This move, called the Hijara marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

The Holy Place Kaaba(Makkah).

The religion of Islam and its adherents, Muslims. "Muslim" is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits to God(ALLAH)”. Muslims and their religion have greatly impacted the political, economic, and military history of the Old World, especially the Middle East, where its roots lie. Though it is believed by non-Muslims to have originated in Mecca and Medina, Muslims believe that the religion of Islam has been present since the time of the prophet Adam(P.B.U.H). Muslims believe that prophets Noah,Abraham, Moses, Jesus(P.B.U.T), among others, were all Islamic prophets, and they have equal veneration in the Qur'an. The Islamic world expanded to include people of the Islamic civilization, inclusive of non-Muslims living in that civilization.

A century after the death of last Islamic Prophet Muhammad(P.B.U.H), the Islamic empire extended from Al-Andalus (Spain) in the west to Indus in the east. The subsequent empires such as those of the Abbasids, Fatimids, Almoravids, Seljukids, Ajuuraan, Adal andWarsangali in Somalia, Mughals in India and Safavids in Persia and Ottomans were among the influential and distinguished powers in the world.

The Islamic civilization gave rise to many centers of culture and science and produced notable scientists, astronomers, mathematicians, doctors, nurses and philosophers during the Golden Age of Islam. Technology flourished; there was investment in economic infrastructure, such as irrigation systems and canals; and the importance of reading the Qur'an produced a comparatively high level of literacy in the general populace.

In the later Middle Ages, destructive Mongol invasions from the East, and the loss of population in the Black Death, greatly weakened the traditional centre of the Islamic world, stretching from Persia to Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire was able to conquer most Arabic-speaking areas, creating an Islamic world power again, although one that was unable to master the challenges of the Early Modern period.

Meaning of Islam:

Islam is derived from the Arabic root "Salema": peace, purity, submission and obedience. In the religious sense, Islam means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law.

Everything and every phenomenon in the world other than man is administered totally by God-made laws, i.e. they are obedient to God and submissive to his laws, they are in the State of Islam. Man possesses the qualities of intelligence and choice, thus he is invited to submit to the good will of God and obey His law, I.e, become a Muslim.

Submission to the good will of God, together with obedience to His beneficial Law, ie, becoming a Muslim, is the best safeguard for man's peace and harmony.

Islam dates back to the age of Adam and its message has been conveyed to man by God's prophets and messengers, including Abrahim, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

Islam's message has been restored and enforced in the last stage of the religious evolution by God's last prophet and messenger, Muhammad.

The word Allah in the Arabic language means God, or more accurately, The One and Only Eternal God, Creator of the Universe, Lord of all lords, King of all kings, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. The word Allah to mean God is also used by Arabic speaking Jews and Christians.

BELIEFS:

1. A Muslim believes in One God, Supreme and Eternal, Infinite and Mighty, Merciful and Compassionate, Creator and Provider.

2. A Muslim believes in all the Messengers and Prophets of God without any discrimination.

3. A Muslim believes in all scriptures and revelations of God, as they were complete and in original versions.

4. A Muslim believes in the angels of God.

5. A Muslim believes in the day of Judgement.

6. A Muslim believes in "Qadaa" and "Qadar".

7.A Muslim believes that every person is born Muslim and free from sin.

8. A Muslim believes that the Quran is the word of God revealed to prophet Muhammad through the Angel Gabriel.

Misconceptions about Islam:

1. Muslims worship a new God ALLAH:

In actuality, Muslims worship the God of Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus. The word “Allah” is simply the Arabic word for Almighty God.